Cultivator-sweep.



CHARLES LUNDGHREN AND GUS E. ANDERSON, OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.

GULTIVATOR-SWEEP.

eeaiae.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. MC, 191i..

Application filed September 12, 1910. Serial No. 581,577.

To @ZZ 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that we7 CHARLES LUND- GHREN and GUS E. Aiwnnsonp citizensof the United States, residing at Austin, in the county of Travis, Stateof Texas, have invented a new and useful Cultivator-Sweep, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to cultivator sweeps and consists in the novelconfiguration hereinafter shown, described and claimed.

The object of the invention is to provide a sweep of peculiarconfiguration and especially adapted to be used in pairs the inembers ofwhich are located at opposite sides of a row of upstanding plantsthepurpose being to provide a sweep which will cut out objectionablegrowths which may be in close proximity to the standing plants and whichwill sever running vines which may lie transversely across the line ofthe row of plants.

Wth this object in view the sweep includes a portion which possesses acutting edge adapted to lie approximately horizontal at the surface ofthe soil and a vertically disposed portion formed at the inner end ofthe first said portion and having a forward cutting edge which is curvedrearwardly toward its upper end. The sweep is also provided with a shankportion to which may be attached a beam or standard.

In the accompanying drawings -Figure l is a top plan view of a pair ofsweeps showing their relative positions. Fig. 2 is a side elevation ofone of the sweeps. Fig. 3 is a front end elevation of a pair of sweeps.Fig. t is a transverse sect-ional view of a -portion of the sweep cut onthe line 4% of Fig'. 2.

Aside from the fact that the sweeps which constitute a pair are rightand left their structures and configurations are identical and adescription of one will answer for both.

Each sweep consists of a lower portion l which is downwardly inclinedtoward its forward edge and which is provided with a forward cuttingedge 2. Flach sweep is provided at a point intermediate the ends of theportion l'with an upstanding shank 3 which is adapted to be attached toa beam or standard of a cultivator. A vertically disposed portion t isformed at the inner end of the portion l and is provided with a for`ward cutting edge 5 which is rearwardly curved toward its upper end.

When the sweep members are assembled in a pair adapted to be used at theopposite sides of a row of standing plants their inner end portions arespaced from each other in the manner as indicated in Figs. l and 3 ofthe drawings and when so positioned they move along at the surface ofthe soil and at the opposite sides of a row of plants, the plantspassing through the space between the inner end portions of the sweepmembers. When so moved the forward cutting edge 2 of the portion l willsever the plants standing outside of the row and at the surface of theground while the forward cutting edge 5 of the portion 4t will sever anyrunning vines which may lie transversely across the row in which theplants stand. The sweep members are formed from comparatively thin metaland in their operation upon the objectionable plants at the Side of arow of plants they are not intended to disturb the soil to any materialextent and after the objectionable growths have been severed at thesurface of the soil or in the vicinity thereof the cut plants arepermitted to fall over the rear edge portion of the sweeps .and lieprostrate upon the ground. The upper end of each portion l of sweep isapproximately pointed as at and the said pointed portions 6 arerearwardly disposed in the manner as indicated. in Fig. 2 of thedrawings. Upon the pointed extremities 6 the rear edge of the portion 4;is concaved as at 7 or in other words the transverse breadth of theportion 4 toward its upper end is reduced in order that there will notbe sufficient material in the uppermost portion of the said portion 4;to offer surface against which the cut plants may drag and follow thesweep. Each sweep is pointed as at 8, the said point occurringapproximately at t-he angle formed by the meeting cutting edges 5 and 2.The said points 8 are forwardly disposed and are designed to separatethe plants at the surface of the soil and guide the sweep aga-inst thoseplants intended to be cut.

Having described the invention what is claimed is A sweep formed wit-h adownwardly and forwardly inclined portion terminating in a forwardcutting edge adapted to lie approximately horizontal at the surface ofthe soil and provided at its rear edge and at a point between its endswith an upwardly disposed shank and having a vertically disposed poredgeof .the vertically disposed portion loeing concaved. Y

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own, we have heretoaiiixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

oHAs. LUNDGHREN. ens n. ANDERsoN.

litnesses G. A. NELSON, N. H. DORFLINGER.

